The 2009A version of the Observing Tool was publicly released on 11 December 2008. The most significant changes from the previous public release (2009B) are summarized below:

• Modified instrument components and iterators
  • The default wavelength for the Michelle lowN mode is 9.5um in order to move the spectra away from a currently unusable detector channel.
  • GNIRS has been moved to the GN instrument list to support commissioning at GN in 2009.
• User interaction and user interface features
  • Thesis and rollover programs are identified in the main program component.
  • A note has been added to the Phase II skeleton giving information and advice on defining the Phase II observations.
  • Various bug fixes related to drag/drop and storing changes
  • improved communication with the GSA to avoid transfer bottlenecks and maintain rapid ingestion times.